The filing period for four school board seats up for election this fall in Osseo Area Schools begins July 31 and runs through Aug. 14.

Three seats will be filled by a general election because the members’ terms are expiring; those seats are currently held by Jim Burgett, Jessica Craig, and Dean Henke. Board members chosen in the general election will take office in January 2019 and serve until January 2023.

One seat will be filled by a special election due to the resignation of current board member Stephanie Fortner, who will step down on Sept. 30, 2018. The candidate chosen in the special election will take office in November 2018 and serve until January 2021.

A candidate filing packet, including the Affidavit of Candidacy, may be obtained from the Osseo Area Schools Educational Service Center, 11200 93rd Avenue North, Maple Grove, during regular office hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Filing hours will be extended until 5 p.m. on the final day, Aug. 14.

When they file, candidates will choose whether to run in the general election or the special election. Candidates may withdraw from the ballot by submitting their request to the election clerk by no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16.

At the time of filing, school board candidates must provide photo ID and address verification, and pay a $2 filing fee. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be 21 years of age or older upon assuming office, must have been a resident of the school district from which he or she seeks election for 30 days before the general election, and must have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same general election.